The historic route of the coronation processions of Bohemian monarchs from the Powder Tower through the Old Town, over Charles Bridge and through Malá Strana to Prague Castle.*

The coronation of Albert II as King of Bohemia in 1438, a 19th-century painting
The coronation of Albert II as King of Bohemia in 1438, a 19th-century paintingPainting: Karel Svoboda (1824–1870), 19. století · public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The Royal Route is a historic route in Prague linking the Old Town, Malá Strana and Hradčany. The coronation processions of Bohemian monarchs passed along it to the coronation in St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle.[1] Coronations of Bohemian kings and queens took place in the cathedral.[2]

The route

The route begins at the Powder Tower. Next to it stood King's Court, the seat of the monarchs on the site of today's Municipal House.[3] From there it leads along Celetná Street to Old Town Square, across Malé náměstí and Karlova Street to Charles Bridge.[3] The bridge is entered through the Old Town Bridge Tower, and on the Malá Strana side the route passes through the gate between the Lesser Town Bridge Towers.[4] From Lesser Town Square it continues along Nerudova Street. Originally it ran further along Úvoz, through Pohořelec and along Loretánská Street to Hradčany Square, ending at the entrance to the Castle.[3] A shorter connection to the Castle was created later by the Radnické schody steps and the street Ke Hradu, completed in 1663.[3] Through the southern part of Hradčany Square the route led to the Castle past the Church of St Benedict and Schwarzenberg Palace.[3]

History

Among the older Bohemian customs were a procession to Vyšehrad on the eve of the coronation and, the next day, a ceremonial procession from Vyšehrad to Prague Castle.[3] Charles IV drew up a new coronation order.[3] According to the Prague 1 city district, the route from King's Court began to be used under Wenceslas IV, who set up a new residence by today's Powder Tower.[3] During the processions small coins were thrown among the onlookers and prisoners were released.[3] The route continued to be used even after the monarchs moved to Vienna. The last coronation procession passed through Prague in 1836, when Ferdinand V was crowned.[3][1] According to Prague City Tourism, the Bohemian kings set out from the Powder Tower to their coronation for more than 300 years.[5]

Present day

The basis of the route is medieval, overlaid by buildings from the Baroque period and the 19th century.[1] Today it is one of the busiest tourist areas of Prague.[1] Prague City Hall describes the route from the Powder Tower along Celetná Street, Old Town Square, Charles Bridge and Nerudova Street to Prague Castle.[6]

Pages that link here

Sources

  1. ČT24
  2. Správa Pražského hradu (hrad.cz)
  3. Městská část Praha 1
  4. Magistrát hl. m. Prahy (Praha virtuální)
  5. Prague City Tourism (prague.eu)
  6. Magistrát hl. m. Prahy (praha.eu)